<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
NC State and South Carolina basketball players remained on the court during the US national anthem before their Final Four matchup, after LSU sparked controversy by not being on the court during the final round of the Star-Spangled Banner .
While Iowa players remained on the court during the anthem in the Elite Eight, LSU players returned to the locker room, and Tigers coach Kim Mulkey claimed she did not know when the anthem was played.
On Friday, however, both the Gamecocks and Wolfpack were present on the court as the song played.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has previously mentioned Their team usually returns to the locker with 10 or 12 minutes remaining in pregame warmups, when the anthem is usually played, so the Gamecocks may have they changed their routine on Friday.
South Carolina and the state of North Carolina perform the national anthem on Friday night.
a fan commented‘As it should be’ along with an American flag, while another saying‘THANK YOU to both teams.’
However, another saying, ‘How crazy that this is worth mentioning. What a confused nation we are!
After LSU lost to Iowa 94-87, Mulkey tried to justify his players’ absence.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” he told reporters. ‘We have kind of a routine when they’re on the court, and they come out at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know. We go in and do our pregame stuff. Sorry, listen, that’s nothing done intentionally.
The LSU stars sparked outrage before their game against Iowa (left) on Monday night.
However, that response only seemed to upset fans even more, as some criticized the coach for the team’s “routine.”
“It’s not that disgusting,” one social media user posted. ‘She doesn’t know when the Anthem is playing. That tells you everything you need to know.
Another added: ‘And that routine is leaving the court before the United States National Anthem plays. Damn LSU!’
‘I don’t even know what time the anthem comes on?!!! Is that supposed to be better? Wow,” another fan asked in outrage and disbelief.
Baton Rouge Proud News reporter Chessa Bouche said on X Monday night that the team is always in the locker room when the national anthem plays before games.
“If you ever go to a real LSU game, you’ll see that they’re never on the field for the anthem.” It’s that easy. I’ve covered them for three years and they’ve never done it,’ he said.